Over 2000 people register for Inua Jamii Programme in Kisumu

Kisumu,

Thursday, September 14, 2023

KNA by Felicia Wanyonyi/Rolex Omondi

Kisumu County has surpassed its set target by registering and listing over 2,000 persons among the elderly, orphans, and vulnerable children (OVC) who are set to benefit from the ongoing Inua Jamii Fund exercise.

 Speaking to KNA on Wednesday, Kisumu County Director of Children Services, Eric Mugaisi stated that the fund is set to focus and provide financial support to orphans, vulnerable children, persons with severe disabilities (PWSD), and the elderly above 70 years.

“At the moment, it is the elderly who have no pension who are being registered to enable them to benefit from the Inua Jamii Programme,” Mugaisi clarified.

He revealed that they have listed 8,102 OVCs, registered 1,484 PWSDs, and 12,212 elderly persons which total to 21,798 persons in Muhoroni, Nyando, Nyakach, Seme, Kisumu East, Kisumu West, and Kisumu Central Sub-Counties as of Wednesday, September, 13.

Mugaisi further noted that the government has surpassed the National target of 500,000 applicants and is working towards hitting the 1 million mark by the close of the registration exercise on Friday, September, 15.

 According to the official, the current national figures stand at 812,743 registered beneficiaries with 87,660 PWSDs, 232,656 OVCs, and 492,427 older persons.

He added that to be eligible for registration, the caregivers of orphaned and vulnerable children with either no parents or guardians suffering from terminal illnesses had to carry with them several documents including doctors’ notes, and birth and death certificates.

 “For the eligibility criteria for cash transfer for orphans, you should be from an extremely poor household, with one or more orphans as permanent members of that household. We list caregivers who take care of those children and ensure that the beneficiaries are not registered for any social assistance programme,” Mugaisi elaborated.

To successfully implement the programme, he lauded the concerted efforts from the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination through the Regional Commissioners to the ward level, chiefs, churches, and politicians.

The structures put in place up to the village levels including the very remote areas have made it possible for people to become aware of the exercise and qualify to be listed.

Some of the striking challenges faced during the exercise are people who have not reached the mandatory age of 70 years or widows, single mothers, and those with gainful businesses come yearning to be registered.

Mercy Achieng’ (real name withheld) a 70-year-old widow currently among the listed in the exercise is hopeful that the stipend will help cushion the high cost of living.

 “I lost my husband five years ago and since I never had children of my own, I have been doing some menial jobs in the neighborhood for sustenance. Due to my age and frail body, I can no longer perform energy-draining tasks. This fund might just be a game-changer in my life,” Achieng’ said hopefully.

Courtesy; KNA